WO2023188377A1

WO2023188377A1 - Atomization unit, method for manufacturing same, and inhalation tool

Info

Publication number: WO2023188377A1
Application number: PCT/JP2022/016818
Authority: WO
Inventors: 貴久工藤; 雄史新川; 光史松本; 毅長谷川
Original assignee: 日本たばこ産業株式会社
Priority date: 2022-03-31
Filing date: 2022-03-31
Publication date: 2023-10-05

Abstract

Provided is an atomization unit of an inhalation tool that can reduce the amount of dust contained in an aerosol inhaled by a user. This atomization unit of an inhalation tool comprises: a liquid accommodation part that accommodates an aerosol generating liquid containing a tobacco extracted component; an electrical load that is disposed in an air passage through which air passes, and that atomizes the aerosol generating liquid to generate an aerosol upon the aerosol generating liquid in the liquid accommodation part being introduced to the electrical load; and a filter material that is disposed in an upstream passage portion of the air passage positioned upstream from the load in a flow direction of air, and that captures dust contained in the air flowing through the upstream passage portion.

Description

Atomization unit and its manufacturing method, and suction tool

The present invention relates to an atomization unit of a suction tool, a method for manufacturing the same, and a suction tool.

Conventionally, as an atomization unit used in a non-combustion heating type suction device, a liquid storage part for storing an aerosol generation liquid, the aerosol generation liquid in the liquid storage part is introduced, and the introduced aerosol generation liquid is atomized. An atomization unit is known that includes an electrical load that generates an aerosol and a flavor source that imparts a flavor component to the aerosol (for example, see Patent Document 1).

Note that Patent Document 2 can be cited as another prior art document. Patent Document 2 discloses information regarding tobacco leaf extract.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-141705 International Publication No. 2015/129679

The conventional atomization unit as described above does not have the function of removing dust such as dust contained in the air taken into the atomization unit from the outside, and there is room for improvement.

The present invention has been made in view of the above, and one of the objects is to provide a technology that can reduce the amount of dust contained in aerosol sucked by a user in an atomization unit of a suction tool. Let's do one.

(Aspect 1)
In order to achieve the above object, an atomization unit of a suction device according to one aspect of the present invention is arranged in a liquid storage part that contains an aerosol generating liquid containing a tobacco extract component and an air passage through which air passes, When the aerosol-generating liquid in the liquid storage section is introduced, an electric load for atomizing the introduced aerosol-generating liquid to generate an aerosol, and an electric load for generating an aerosol by atomizing the introduced aerosol-generating liquid, and an electric load for generating an aerosol in the air passage, which is located in a direction that is lower than the load in the air flow direction. It includes a filter material that is disposed in an upstream passage located on the upstream side and captures dust contained in air flowing through the upstream passage.

(Aspect 2)
In the first aspect described above, the filter material may be formed as a molded body having a dust trapping surface exposed to the upstream passage section.

(Aspect 3)
In the above-mentioned embodiment 2, the filter material may be a flavor molded article containing a non-tobacco base material and a flavor material.

(Aspect 4)
In the above-mentioned aspect 2 or 3, the filter material has a rod shape extending along the upstream passage portion, and extends through the filter material in the axial direction and allows air to flow into the inside thereof. It may have a hollow air flow path for circulating air, and an inner surface of the air flow path may be formed as the dust trapping surface.

(Aspect 5)
In any of the above aspects 2 to 4, the filter material has a rod shape that extends along the upstream passage, and has a side surface thereof that extends in the axial direction of the filter material and allows air to flow through the filter material. It may have an air circulation groove for circulating air, and a surface of the air circulation groove may be formed as the dust trapping surface.

(Aspect 6)
In any of the above aspects 2 to 5, the filter material has a rod shape extending along the upstream passage, and a cross section perpendicular to the flow direction of air in the upstream passage. A plurality of the filter materials are arranged in parallel along the direction, and an air flow path is formed between the outer surfaces of the filter materials arranged in parallel, and the air flow path faces the air flow path. The dust trapping surface may be formed by an outer surface of the filter material.

(Aspect 7)
In the above aspect 2 or 3, the filter material has a bellows sheet shape as a whole, and includes a plurality of sheet portions extending along the flow direction of air in the upstream passage portion, and each sheet. and a ridgeline section that connects the sections in a bellows-like manner and extends along the air flow direction, and air circulation that circulates air between the sheet sections that are connected via the ridgeline section. A passage may be formed, and the dust trapping surface may be formed by an outer surface of the seat portion facing the air flow passage.

(Aspect 8)
In the above aspect 2 or 3, the filter material has a plate shape extending along the air flow direction in the upstream passage, and is orthogonal to the air flow direction in the upstream passage. A plurality of the filter materials are arranged side by side so as to face each other at intervals along the cross section, and an air flow passage for circulating air is formed between the filter materials disposed facing each other. The dust trapping surface may be formed by an outer surface of the filter material facing the air flow path.

(Aspect 9)
Further, a suction tool according to one aspect of the present invention includes the atomizing unit according to any one of aspects 1 to 8 above, and a power source that supplies power to the load, and a power source unit to which the atomizing unit is detachably attached. and.

(Aspect 10)
Further, a method for manufacturing an atomization unit of a suction tool according to one aspect of the present invention includes:
an atomization unit housing in which a liquid storage part and an air passage are formed; an aerosol generation liquid containing tobacco extract components; an electrical load for atomizing the aerosol generation liquid to generate an aerosol; a preparation step for preparing a filter material for capturing dust contained in the flowing air;
an assembling step of accommodating the aerosol generating liquid in the liquid accommodating section and arranging the load and the filter material in the air passage;
has
In the assembly process,
The load is arranged in such a manner that the aerosol generating liquid is introduced from the liquid storage part, and the filter material is arranged in an upstream passage part located upstream of the load in the air flow direction. .

According to the aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a technique that can reduce the amount of dust contained in the aerosol sucked into the user in the atomization unit of the suction tool.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing the appearance of a suction tool according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the main parts of the atomization unit of the suction tool according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing a cross section taken along the line A1-A1 in FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of the flavor molded article according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 5 is a flow diagram for explaining the method for manufacturing the atomization unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the results of measuring the TPM reduction rate with respect to the amount of carbonized components contained in 1 g of aerosol generating liquid containing nicotine. FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of the atomization unit according to Modification 1 of Embodiment 1. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the atomization unit according to Modification 1 of Embodiment 1. FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view of the atomization unit according to the second modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the atomization unit according to the second modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 11 is a longitudinal sectional view of the atomization unit according to the third modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the atomization unit according to the third modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the atomization unit according to Modification 4 of Embodiment 1. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the atomization unit according to the fifth modification of the first embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of an atomization unit and a suction tool equipped with the same according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, but these descriptions are merely examples of the embodiments of the present invention, and the gist of the present invention is not limited to the following. It is not limited to these contents as long as they do not exceed. Furthermore, although a plurality of embodiments will be described in this specification, various conditions in each embodiment may be applied to each other within an applicable range. Furthermore, the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, etc. of the constituent elements described in the embodiments are merely examples. In addition, in this specification, each embodiment will be described with reference to drawings as necessary, but these drawings are schematically illustrated to facilitate understanding of the features of the embodiments, and each configuration is The dimensional ratios of elements etc. are not necessarily the same as the actual ones. Further, in the drawings of the present application, XYZ orthogonal coordinates are illustrated as necessary.

Here, the atomization unit according to the embodiment is
a liquid storage section that accommodates an aerosol generation liquid containing tobacco extract components;
an electrical load disposed in an air passage through which air passes, into which the aerosol-generating liquid in the liquid storage section is introduced, and which atomizes the introduced aerosol-generating liquid to generate an aerosol;
A filter material that is disposed in an upstream passageway of the air passageway that is located upstream of the load in the air flow direction, and that captures dust contained in the air flowing through the upstream passageway;
Equipped with

Here, the filter material may be formed as a molded body having a dust trapping surface exposed to the upstream passage. In this case, the filter material may be a flavor molded article containing a non-tobacco base material and a flavor material. The flavor material may include a tobacco material, and the content of the tobacco material in the flavor molded body may be 10% by weight or less.

Further, the method for manufacturing the atomization unit according to the embodiment includes:
an atomization unit housing in which a liquid storage part and an air passage are formed; an aerosol generation liquid containing tobacco extract components; an electrical load for atomizing the aerosol generation liquid to generate an aerosol; a preparation step for preparing a filter material for capturing dust contained in the flowing air;
an assembling step of accommodating the aerosol generating liquid in the liquid accommodating section and arranging the load and the filter material in the air passage;
has
In the assembly process,
The load is arranged in such a manner that the aerosol generating liquid is introduced from the liquid storage part, and
The filter material may be arranged in an upstream passage section located upstream of the load in the air flow direction.

Note that in this specification, "dust" is a general term for dirt, dust, etc. contained in air.

<Embodiment 1>
FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing the appearance of a suction tool 10 according to the first embodiment. The suction device 10 according to the present embodiment is a non-combustion heating type suction device, and specifically, a non-combustion heating type flavor suction device.

As an example, the suction tool 10 according to the present embodiment extends in the direction of the central axis CL of the suction tool 10. Specifically, the suction tool 10 has, for example, a "long axis direction (direction of the central axis CL)", a "width direction" perpendicular to the long axis direction, and a "thickness" perpendicular to the long axis direction and the width direction. It has an external shape having a direction. The dimensions of the suction tool 10 in the long axis direction, width direction, and thickness direction decrease in this order. In this embodiment, among the orthogonal coordinates of X-Y-Z, the Z-axis direction (Z direction or -Z direction) corresponds to the major axis direction, and the X-axis direction (X direction or -X direction) corresponds to the width direction, and the Y-axis direction (Y direction or -Y direction) corresponds to the thickness direction.

The suction tool 10 has a power supply unit 11 and an atomization unit 12. The power supply unit 11 is detachably connected to the atomization unit 12. Inside the power supply unit 11, a battery as a power source, a control device, etc. are arranged. When the atomization unit 12 is connected to the power supply unit 11, the power supply of the power supply unit 11 and the load 40 of the atomization unit 12, which will be described later, are electrically connected.

Here, the reference numeral 120 in FIG. 1 is an atomization unit housing that houses various elements constituting the atomization unit 12, and a part of the housing also serves as a mouthpiece that the user holds in his or her mouth for suction. The atomization unit housing 120 of the atomization unit 12 has

inflow ports

72a and 72b, which are holes for introducing air into the atomization unit housing 120 from the outside, and

inlets

72a and 72b for introducing aerosol from the inside of the atomization unit housing 120 to the outside. A discharge port 13 is provided for discharging the air contained therein. When using the suction tool 10, the user of the suction tool 10 can inhale air containing aerosol discharged from the outlet 13.

A sensor is arranged in the power supply unit 11 to output the value of the pressure change inside the suction tool 10 caused by the user's suction through the discharge port 13. When the user starts suctioning air, a sensor detects the start of suctioning air, transmits this to the control device, and the control device starts energizing the load 40 of the atomization unit 12, which will be described later. Further, when the user finishes suctioning the air, the sensor detects the end of the suction of air, and notifies the control device of this, and the control device ends the energization of the load 40.

Note that the power supply unit 11 may be provided with an operation switch for transmitting a request to start air suction and a request to end air suction to the control device by a user's operation. In this case, the user can transmit a request to start air suction or a request to end suction to the control device by operating the operation switch. The control device that receives this suction start request or suction end request starts or ends energization to the load 40.

Note that the configuration of the power supply unit 11 as described above is similar to the power supply unit of a known suction tool as exemplified in Patent Document 1, so a more detailed explanation will be omitted.

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the main parts of the atomization unit 12 of the suction tool 10 according to the first embodiment. Specifically, FIG. 2 schematically shows a cross section (hereinafter also referred to as a "longitudinal cross section") of the main part of the atomization unit 12 taken along a plane including the central axis CL. FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing a cross section taken along the line A1-A1 in FIG. 2 (that is, a cross section taken along a cross section normal to the central axis CL, also referred to as a "cross section"). The atomization unit 12 will be explained with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

The atomization unit 12 (atomization unit housing 120) according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of walls (walls 70a to 70g) extending in the longitudinal direction (direction of the central axis CL), and has a width It includes a plurality of wall portions (wall portions 71a to 71c) extending in the direction. Further, the atomization unit 12 includes an air passage 20 , a wick 30 , an electrical load 40 , a liquid storage section 50 , and a filter material 60 disposed in the air passage 20 .

The air passage 20 is a passage through which air passes when the user suctions air (that is, when suctioning an aerosol). The air passage 20 according to this embodiment includes an upstream passage section, a load passage section 22, and a downstream passage section 23. The upstream passage section according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of upstream passage sections, specifically, an upstream passage section 21a (i.e., "first upstream passage section") and an upstream passage section 21b ( In other words, it includes a "second upstream passage section"). However, the air passage may have a single upstream passage, or may have three or more upstream passages.

The

upstream passage portions

21a and 21b are arranged upstream of the load passage portion 22 (upstream in the air flow direction). The downstream ends of the

upstream passage sections

21a and 21b communicate with the load passage section 22. The load passage section 22 is a passage section in which a load 40 is disposed. The downstream passage section 23 is a passage section disposed downstream of the load passage section 22 (downstream side in the air flow direction). An upstream end of the downstream passage section 23 communicates with the load passage section 22 . Further, the downstream end of the downstream passage section 23 communicates with the discharge port 13 described above. The air that has passed through the downstream passage section 23 is discharged from the discharge port 13.

Specifically, the upstream passage section 21a according to the present embodiment is provided in an area surrounded by a wall 70a, a wall 70b, a wall 70e, a wall 70f, a wall 71a, and a wall 71b. There is. Further, the upstream passage portion 21b is provided in an area surrounded by the wall portion 70c, the wall portion 70d, the wall portion 70e, the wall portion 70f, the wall portion 71a, and the wall portion 71b. The load passage section 22 is provided in an area surrounded by a wall 70a, a wall 70d, a wall 70e, a wall 70f, a wall 71b, and a wall 71c. The downstream passage section 23 is provided in an area surrounded by the cylindrical wall section 70g.

The wall portion 71a of the atomization unit housing 120 is provided with

inflow ports

72a and 72b. Air outside the housing flows into the upstream passage section 21a through the inlet 72a, and flows into the upstream passage section 21b through the inlet 72b. Further, the wall portion 71b is provided with a communication hole 72c and a communication hole 72d. Air that has passed through the upstream passage section 21a flows into the load passage section 22 through the communication hole 72c, and air that has passed through the upstream passage section 21b flows into the load passage section 22 through the communication hole 72d.

In the present embodiment, the direction of flow of air (flow direction) in the

upstream passages

21a and 21b is opposite to the direction of flow of air in the downstream passage 23. Specifically, in this embodiment, the direction of air flow in the

upstream passage sections

21a and 21b is the -Z direction, and the direction of air flow in the downstream passage section 23 is the Z direction.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the upstream passage section 21a and the upstream passage section 21b according to the present embodiment sandwich the liquid storage section 50 between the upstream passage section 21a and the upstream passage section 21b. As such, it is arranged adjacent to the liquid storage section 50.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the upstream passage section 21a according to the present embodiment is configured to accommodate liquid in a cross-sectional view (i.e., a cross-sectional view) taken along a cut plane normal to the central axis CL. It is arranged on one side (the side in the -X direction) with the section 50 interposed therebetween. On the other hand, the upstream passage section 21b is arranged on the other side (the side in the X direction) with the liquid storage section 50 in between in this cross-sectional view. In other words, the upstream passage section 21a is arranged on one side of the liquid storage section 50 in the width direction of the atomization unit 12, and the upstream passage section 21b is arranged on one side of the liquid storage section 50 in the width direction of the atomization unit 12. 50.

Note that the cross-sectional shapes of the upstream passage portion 21a and the upstream passage portion 21b are not limited to the polygonal shape illustrated in FIG. (For example, it may be circular.)

The wick 30 is a member for introducing an aerosol generating liquid Le, which will be described later, stored in the liquid storage section 50 into the load 40 of the load passage section 22. Although the specific configuration of the wick 30 is not particularly limited as long as it has such a function, the wick 30 according to the present embodiment utilizes capillary phenomenon to connect the liquid storage part. While absorbing and holding the aerosol generating liquid Le of 50, the aerosol generating liquid Le is introduced into the load 40. The wick 30 can be made of, for example, glass fiber or porous ceramic, but is not limited thereto.

The load 40 is an electrical load for introducing the aerosol generation liquid Le from the liquid storage section 50 and for atomizing the introduced aerosol generation liquid Le to generate an aerosol. In addition, in this specification, "introducing" the aerosol generation liquid Le has substantially the same meaning as "supplying". The specific configuration of the load 40 is not particularly limited, and for example, a heating element such as a heater or an element such as an ultrasonic generator may be used. In this embodiment, a heater is used as an example of the load 40. As this heater, a heating resistor (that is, a heating wire), a ceramic heater, a dielectric heater, or the like can be used. In this embodiment, a heating resistor is used as an example of this heater, and a heating resistor having a coil shape is used as an example of this heating resistor. That is, the load 40 according to this embodiment is a so-called coil heater. This coil heater is wound around the wick 30.

Further, the load 40 according to the present embodiment is arranged in the wick 30 inside the load passage section 22, for example. The load 40 is electrically connected to the power source and control device of the power supply unit 11 described above, and generates heat when electricity from the power source is supplied to the load 40 (that is, generates heat when energized). Further, the operation of the load 40 is controlled by a control device. The load 40 heats and atomizes the aerosol-generating liquid Le in the liquid storage section 50 introduced into the load 40 via the wick 30 to generate an aerosol.

Note that the configurations of the wick 30 and the load 40 are similar to those used in known suction tools such as those exemplified in Patent Document 1, so a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The liquid storage section 50 is a part for storing the aerosol generation liquid Le. The liquid storage section 50 according to the present embodiment is provided in an area surrounded by a wall 70b, a wall 70c, a wall 70e, a wall 70f, a wall 71a, and a wall 71b. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the aforementioned downstream passage section 23 is provided, as an example, so as to penetrate the liquid storage section 50 in the direction of the central axis CL. However, the configuration is not limited to this, and, for example, the downstream passage section 23 may be provided adjacent to the liquid storage section 50 in the thickness direction (Y-axis direction) of the suction tool 10.

[Aerosol generation liquid]
In the present embodiment, the aerosol generating liquid Le is one in which a tobacco extract component is contained in a predetermined solvent. The aerosol generation liquid Le is not particularly limited as long as it contains tobacco extract components. The aspect of the tobacco extract component contained in the aerosol generation liquid Le is not particularly limited, and can be obtained, for example, by extracting tobacco materials such as tobacco leaves. In this specification, components obtained by extracting tobacco materials are referred to as tobacco extract components (containing at least nicotine).

Tobacco extract components are substances such as nicotine contained in tobacco plants, and examples of substances other than nicotine include neophytadiene, solanone, or solanesol, and these components other than nicotine are not included even if they are contained. It does not have to be a fragrance, but if it is contained, it can function as a fragrance. The aerosol generation liquid Le preferably contains at least nicotine as a tobacco extract, and in this embodiment, "contains tobacco extract components" may also be referred to as "contains natural nicotine." There are two types of nicotine: (S)-nicotine and (R)-nicotine, and most naturally occurring nicotine is usually the S-form, with the R-form accounting for less than 1 mol%. On the other hand, in synthetic nicotine, the ratio of S-form and R-form is usually close to 1:1, although it depends on the synthesis method and purification method. Therefore, the amount of R-isomer relative to the total amount of nicotine in the oral composition is 5 mol% or more (may be 1 mol% or more, 10 mol% or more, or 40 to 60 mol%). For example, it can be assumed that the nicotine in the oral composition is synthetic nicotine. The target to be extracted may be, for example, tissues of tobacco plants themselves such as leaves, stems, flowers, roots, reproductive organs, or embryos, or processed products using these tobacco plant tissues (for example, known Tobacco powder, shredded tobacco, tobacco sheets, tobacco granules, etc. used in tobacco products) may be used, but from the viewpoint of ensuring a sufficient amount of use and avoiding the inclusion of unnecessary ingredients, tobacco leaves may be used. It is preferable. The embodiment using tobacco extract components obtained by extraction of tobacco materials can lower the raw material cost and manufacturing cost of the aerosol generation liquid Le compared to the embodiment using nicotine obtained by synthesis or the like. Note that the nicotine contained in the aerosol generation liquid Le may exist as a nicotine compound such as a nicotine salt in both natural nicotine and synthetic nicotine described below.

The method of incorporating nicotine into the aerosol generation liquid Le is not particularly limited, and for example, a method of dissolving a tobacco extract component obtained by extraction of tobacco materials in the aerosol generation liquid, or a method of dissolving the tobacco extract component in a solvent and then adding nicotine to the aerosol. Examples include a method of mixing with the product liquid Le. In addition, when a substance that can also be used as an aerosol base material is used as a solvent for extracting tobacco materials, the tobacco extract can be used as it is as the aerosol generation liquid Le. Examples of such substances include, for example. , glycerin, propylene glycol, triacetin, 1,3-butanediol, and water.

When the tobacco extract component contains natural nicotine, specifically, natural nicotine extracted and purified from tobacco leaves can be used. For such a method for producing natural nicotine, a known technique such as that exemplified in Non-Patent Document 1 can be applied, so a detailed explanation will be omitted.

In addition, when tobacco extract components contain natural nicotine, the purity of natural nicotine can be increased by purifying the extract of tobacco materials such as tobacco leaves and removing as much as possible of components other than natural nicotine from the extract of tobacco materials. , natural nicotine with increased purity may be used. To give a specific numerical example, the purity of the natural nicotine contained in the predetermined solvent of the aerosol generation liquid Le may be 99.9% by weight or more (that is, in this case, the purity of the natural nicotine contained in the natural nicotine ( (components other than natural nicotine) are less than 0.1% by weight).

The content of nicotine (particularly natural nicotine) in the aerosol generation liquid Le is not particularly limited, but from the viewpoint of enabling a sufficient supply of nicotine, it is, for example, 0.1% by weight or more and 10% by weight or less. It may be 0.5% by weight or more and 7.5% by weight or less, and may be 1% by weight or more and 5% by weight or less. In the aerosol generation liquid Le, tobacco extract can be used as a source of nicotine. In this case, the content of the tobacco extract in the aerosol-generating liquid Le is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, 0.1% by weight or more and 10% by weight or less, from the viewpoint of enabling a sufficient supply of nicotine. , may be 0.5% by weight or more and 7.5% by weight or less, and may be 1% by weight or more and 5% by weight or less.

The type of predetermined solvent contained in the aerosol generation liquid Le, such as the type of aerosol base material (base material for generating aerosol), is not particularly limited, and examples include glycerin, propylene glycol, triacetin, 1,3-butanediol, and one or more substances selected from the group consisting of water.

The content of the aerosol base material in the aerosol generation liquid Le is not particularly limited, but from the viewpoint of achieving desired aerosol generation, it may be, for example, 40% by weight or more and 95% by weight or less, 50% by weight or more, It may be 90% by weight or less, and may be 60% by weight or more and 80% by weight or less.

The type of solvent used in the extraction to obtain the above-mentioned tobacco extract component is not particularly limited, and is, for example, selected from the group consisting of glycerin, propylene glycol, triacetin, 1,3-butanediol, and water. One or more substances, or liquids containing the substances, can be used. In this embodiment, glycerin and/or propylene glycol is used as an example of the predetermined solvent. Note that if the solvent also acts as an aerosol-generating base material, the tobacco extract can be used as it is as an aerosol-generating liquid; however, the tobacco extract may contain components that can cause charring when heated (e.g., lipids, etc.). metal ions, sugars, proteins, etc.), it is preferable to remove substances that cause scorching using means such as vacuum distillation. Note that the tobacco extract may contain flavor components in the tobacco material other than nicotine, and specific examples thereof include, for example, neophytadiene.

The aerosol generation liquid Le contains at least a tobacco extract component as a component for imparting nicotine, but from the viewpoint of aroma and taste, it may further contain synthetic nicotine obtained by synthesis or the like. Note that the synthetic nicotine may exist as nicotine or as a nicotine-containing compound such as a nicotine salt. In this specification, nicotine obtained by synthesis is also referred to as "synthetic nicotine," which is nicotine produced by chemical synthesis. That is, synthetic nicotine is not nicotine obtained by extracting tobacco materials (natural nicotine), but nicotine obtained by chemical synthesis using chemical substances. The method for producing synthetic nicotine is not particularly limited, and any known production method can be used. The purity of this synthetic nicotine may also be 99.9% by weight or more, similar to natural nicotine.

The type of nicotine-containing compound is not particularly limited, and examples include nicotine salts such as nicotine pyruvate, nicotine citrate, nicotine lactate, nicotine salicylate, and nicotine fumarate. When a nicotine-containing compound such as a nicotine salt is synthesized, the production method is not particularly limited, and any known production method can be used.

The aerosol generation liquid Le may have components other than the tobacco extract component and the aerosol generation base material (other components), for example, flavor components other than the tobacco extract component (including tobacco extract components other than nicotine as described above). ) may be included.

Flavor components other than tobacco extract components include, for example, menthol, natural vegetable flavorings (e.g., cognac oil, orange oil, jasmine oil, spearmint oil, peppermint oil, anise oil, coriander oil, lemon oil, chamomile oil, labdanum). , vetiver oil, rose oil, lovage oil), esters (e.g., menthyl acetate, isoamyl acetate, linalyl acetate, isoamyl propionate, butyl butyrate, methyl salicylate, etc.), ketones (e.g., menthone, ionone, ethyl maltol, etc.) , alcohols (e.g., phenylethyl alcohol, anethole, cis-6-nonen-1-ol, eucalyptol, etc.), aldehydes (e.g., benzaldehyde, etc.), or lactones (e.g., ω-pentadecalactone, etc.) etc. Note that neophytadiene, solanone, solanesol, or the like, which can be tobacco extract components, may be contained in the aerosol generation liquid Le as a synthetically obtained substance rather than as a tobacco extract component.

[Filter material]
Next, the filter material 60 of the atomization unit 12 will be explained. In this embodiment, the filter material 60 is a member for capturing (collecting) dust contained in the air taken into the air passage 20 from the outside through the

inflow ports

72a and 72b in the atomization unit housing 120, and In the embodiment, they are arranged in the

upstream passage portions

21a and 21b. Here, an example in which the filter material 60 is formed as a molded body having a dust trapping surface exposed to the

upstream passage portions

21a and 21b will be described. More specifically, in this embodiment, an embodiment in which the filter material 60 is formed as a flavor molded body containing a non-tobacco base material and a flavor material will be exemplified.

FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of the filter material 60 according to the first embodiment. The filter material 60 shown in FIG. 4 has a rod shape along the extending direction (air flow direction) of the air passage 20 (in this embodiment, the

upstream passage parts

21a and 21b). More specifically, the filter material 60 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and has an axis X1 extending along the direction in which the air passage 20 (in this embodiment, the

upstream passage portions

21a and 21b) extends (air flow direction). have. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 4, the filter material 60 is formed with an air flow passage 61 that penetrates the filter material 60 along the axis X1. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the air flow passage 61 is arranged coaxially with the axis X1 of the filter material 60, but the invention is not limited thereto. Further, the number of air flow passages 61 formed in the filter material 60 is not particularly limited, and for example, a plurality of air flow passages 61 may be arranged side by side along the axis X1 of the filter material 60. Further, in the example shown in FIG. 4, the cross-sectional shape of the air flow passage 61 is circular, but the cross-sectional shape of the air flow passage 61 is not particularly limited. Note that reference numeral 65 is the inner surface of the air flow passage 61, and in this embodiment, it is formed as a dust trapping surface for trapping dust contained in the air passing through the air flow passage 61. The filter material 60 is arranged in the downstream passage section 23 such that the dust trapping surface 65 is exposed to the downstream passage section 23. For example, when a plurality of air flow passages 61 passing through the filter material 60 along the axis X1 direction are formed, the dust trapping surface 65 is formed by the inner surface of each air flow passage 61. Further, the filter material 60 may have a honeycomb structure in which a plurality of air flow passages 61 are mutually separated by partition walls.

Further, in the example shown in FIG. 4, the axis X1 is an axis extending along the longitudinal direction of the filter material 60, but the invention is not limited to this. The shape of the filter material 60 is not particularly limited; for example, the length dimension (dimension along the axis X1 direction) of the filter material 60 may be equal to the width dimension perpendicular to this, or the length dimension The width dimension may be larger than the dimension. Of course, in the filter material 60, the shape of the cross section perpendicular to the axis X1 is not particularly limited, and may be a polygon other than a quadrangle, or may have another shape such as a circle or an ellipse. good.

In the example shown in FIG. 2, the length of the filter material 60 is smaller than the length of the

upstream passage portions

21a and 21b in the atomization unit 12. One end of the filter material 60 is positioned in contact with the wall 71b of the atomization unit housing 120. A section of the

upstream passage portions

21a and 21b where the filter material 60 is not arranged is hollow. Further, the filter material 60 may be positioned and fixed at a prescribed position with its side surface being compressed by the wall surfaces of the

upstream passage portions

21a and 21b.

The filter material 60 in this embodiment is arranged in the

upstream passage parts

21a, 21b in such a manner that the ventilation resistance of the air flowing through the

upstream passage parts

21a, 21b does not become excessively large, that is, in a manner that the smooth circulation of the air is not inhibited. will be placed in In the example shown in FIG. 4, since the air flow passage 61 passes through the flavor molded body 60 along the axis X1 direction, air can be smoothly circulated through the air flow passage 61.

Further, the filter material 60 may have an air flow groove extending along the side surface of the filter material 60 in place of or in addition to the air flow path 61 passing through the inside thereof in the axis X1 direction. good. The air flow groove can function as a concave air flow path for circulating air.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, a plurality of rod-shaped filter materials 60 may be arranged in a bundle in the

upstream passage portions

21a and 21b. In this case, the individual filter materials 60 may or may not be integrated with each other.

In addition, when using the filter material 60 having a sheet shape, a sheet made of a mixture of a non-tobacco base material and a flavoring material, a cast sheet of a mixture of a non-tobacco base material and a flavoring material, or a cast sheet of a mixture of a non-tobacco base material and a flavoring material is used. The filter material 60 can be formed of a rolled sheet of a mixture of the above, or a sheet of a non-tobacco base material to which a flavoring material is applied by coating or spraying on the surface of the sheet. Further, the filter material 60 may be arranged in the

upstream passage portions

21a and 21b in a state in which a single sheet is folded into an arbitrary shape such as a bellows shape or a spiral shape. Further, a plurality of strip sheet pieces obtained by cutting the above sheet into strips may be used as the filter material 60 and filled in the

upstream passage portions

21a and 21b. In this case, the strip sheet pieces serving as the filter material 60 may be arranged in alignment along the downstream passage section 23, or may be arranged randomly without being aligned in a specific direction.

Additionally, the filter material 60 may have a plate shape. Further, the filter material 60 may have a shape other than a rod shape, a plate shape, or a sheet shape. For example, the filter material 60 may be in the form of granules, and a plurality of granules forming the filter material 60 may be filled in the

upstream passage portions

21a and 21b. Of course, the shape of the granules forming the filter material 60 is not particularly limited.

Furthermore, the filter material 60 in this embodiment is formed as a flavor molded body. For example, the filter material 60 (flavor molded body) includes a non-tobacco base material, a flavor material, etc., which are hardened and molded into a predetermined shape. The flavor material contained in the flavor molded article may include tobacco material. In this case, the amount of tobacco material in the flavor molded article may be 10% by weight or less. Of course, the flavor material may contain, in addition to the tobacco material, various flavor components not derived from the tobacco material.

The type of material for the non-tobacco base material is not particularly limited as long as it is derived from tobacco materials (specifically, tobacco plants), such as ceramics, synthetic polymers, or pulp derived from plants other than tobacco plants. It may be. Examples of the ceramic include alumina, zirconia, aluminum nitride, and silicon carbide. Examples of the synthetic polymer include polyolefin resin, polyester, polycarbonate, PAN, and EVOH. Examples of plants other than tobacco plants include softwood pulp, hardwood pulp, cotton, fruit pulp, and tea leaves. Further, the non-tobacco base material may be the main material of the flavor molded product, particularly the main material that ensures the molding of the flavor molded product.

The content of the non-tobacco base material in the flavor molded product is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, 10% by weight or more and 50% by weight or less, 30% by weight or more and 90% by weight or less, and 50% by weight. % or more and 80% by weight or less.

The form of the flavor material contained in the flavor molded body is not particularly limited, and for example, it may be the flavor component itself, or it may be a material that imparts a flavor component ("flavor component imparting material"), and the flavor component may be a flavor component itself. Examples of the imparting material include tobacco materials that impart nicotine. In addition, in this specification, when a flavor component imparting material is contained in a flavor molded object, the flavor component imparting material is treated as a flavor material, not the flavor component contained in the flavor component imparting material. For example, when the flavor molded article contains a tobacco material, the flavor material is not the nicotine contained in the tobacco material, but the tobacco material.

The form of the tobacco material is not particularly limited; for example, it may contain tissues such as leaves, stems, flowers, roots, reproductive organs, or embryos of tobacco plants, and tobacco materials using these tobacco plant tissues may also be used. Processed products (for example, tobacco powder, shredded tobacco, tobacco sheets, tobacco granules, etc. used in known tobacco products) may be included, but from the viewpoint of ensuring a sufficient amount of use and ease of processing, Tobacco leaves or processed products using tobacco leaves are preferred. Further, the tobacco material may be tobacco residue obtained after extracting these materials, or may be a combination of unextracted tobacco material and tobacco residue, or may be used as a mixed mixture.

As used herein, "the flavoring material contains tobacco material" does not mean that the flavoring material contains tobacco material, but rather that it contains tobacco material as one of the types of flavoring material. , the expression "the flavoring material contains a tobacco material and the content of the tobacco material in the flavor molded body is 10% by weight or less" means "the flavor material contains at least a tobacco material and the content of the tobacco material in the flavor molded body is 10% by weight or less". The content of the material is 10% by weight or less."

Flavor ingredients that serve as flavor materials are not particularly limited, and include, for example, nicotine, menthol, natural vegetable flavorings (e.g., cognac oil, orange oil, jasmine oil, spearmint oil, peppermint oil, anise oil, coriander oil, lemon oil, chamomile). oil, labdanum, vetiver oil, rose oil, lovage oil), esters (e.g. menthyl acetate, isoamyl acetate, linalyl acetate, isoamyl propionate, butyl butyrate, methyl salicylate, etc.), ketones (e.g. menthone, ionone, ethyl maltol, etc.), alcohols (e.g., phenylethyl alcohol, anethole, cis-6-nonen-1-ol, eucalyptol, etc.), aldehydes (e.g., benzaldehyde, etc.), or lactones (e.g., ω-pentadeca), lactone, etc.).

The method of applying the flavoring material to the non-tobacco base material is not particularly limited; for example, the flavoring material may be added by mixing it into the raw material of the non-tobacco base material during the production of the non-tobacco base material; The flavor material may be applied to the surface of the non-tobacco substrate by coating, spraying, etc., or a combination of these may be used.

The content of the flavor material in the flavor molded body is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, 0.1% by weight or more and 70% by weight or less, 1% by weight or more and 60% by weight or less, and 3% by weight or more. % or more and 50% by weight or less. In addition, when the flavor molded body contains a tobacco material, the content of the tobacco material in the flavor molded body is not particularly limited, but from the viewpoint of imparting flavor to the air flowing through the

upstream passages

21a and 21b as a flavor spice. It is preferably 1% by weight or more, more preferably 3% by weight or more, and even more preferably 7% by weight or more. On the other hand, if the amount of tobacco material contained in the flavor molded body is too large, the tobacco material may easily separate from the non-tobacco base material. Therefore, from the viewpoint of suppressing the separation of the tobacco material from the non-tobacco base material, the content of the tobacco material in the flavor molded product is preferably 10% by weight or less, and preferably 7% by weight or less. The content is more preferably 3% by weight or less, and even more preferably 3% by weight or less.

The flavor molded product may contain a binder for adhering materials included in the flavor molded product, such as a non-tobacco base material. The type of binder is not particularly limited, and for example, starch, hydroxyalkylcellulose, polyvinyl acetate, or alkylhydroxyalkylcellulose can be used. In addition, the content of the binder in the flavor molded product may be 1% by weight or more and 20% by weight or less, and may be 3% by weight or more and 15% by weight or less, from the viewpoint of ensuring sufficient adhesiveness. , 5% by weight or more and 10% by weight or less.

The flavor molded body may contain components other than the above-mentioned various components, for example, potassium carbonate, potassium hydrogen carbonate (for pH adjustment), etc.

Additionally, the surface of the flavor molded object may be coated with a coating material such as resin. Of course, the surface of the flavor molded object does not need to be coated with the coating material. However, since the surface of the flavor molded product is coated with a coating material, it becomes easier to maintain the shape of the molded product. Examples of the coating material include polyethylene, polyethylene wax, microcrystalline wax, beeswax, and zein.

Further, in the present embodiment, the density (mass per unit volume) of the flavor molded object may be, for example, 1000 mg/cm ³ or more and 1450 mg/cm ³ or less, or 1100 mg/cm ³ or more and 1450 mg/cm 3 or more. cm ³ or less. However, the density of the flavor molded body is not limited to this, and may be less than 1000 mg/cm ³ , or greater than 1450 mg/cm ³ , or less than 1100 mg/cm ³ . Alternatively, it may be greater than 1450 mg/cm ³ . When a plurality of flavor molded bodies are present, the density can be determined as the total mass relative to the total volume of the flavor molded bodies.

Suction of aerosol using the suction tool 10 is performed as follows. First, when a user starts a suction operation while holding the discharge port 13 of the suction tool 10 in his or her mouth, external air flows from each

inlet port

72a, 72b in the atomization unit 12 to the air passage 20 (

upstream passage portion

21a, 21b). Further, when the control device provided in the power supply unit 11 detects the user's suction operation, it issues a command to the battery and starts energizing the load 40 in the atomization unit 12 . Air flowing into the

upstream passage portions

21a, 21b of the air passage 20 from the

respective inflow ports

72a, 72b passes through the air flow passage 61 of the filter material 60 disposed in the

upstream passage portions

21a, 21b. At this time, the air passes through the air flow path 61 while being exposed to the dust trapping surface 65 formed as the inner surface of the air flow path 61, and the dust contained in the air adheres to the dust trapping surface 65. In this way, when air passes through the air flow path 61, dust contained in the air can be captured by the dust capturing surface 65. Furthermore, since the filter material 60 in this embodiment is formed as a flavor molded body, when air passes through the air flow path 61, the flavor material (for example, tobacco material) contained in the filter material 60 (flavor molded body) is removed. It is also possible to impart flavor to the air by using flavor components (flavor components, etc.).

As described above, the air from which dust has been removed by the filter material 60 and which has been flavored is transported through the communication holes 72c and 72d in the atomization unit housing 120 to the load passage where the wick 30 and the load 40 are disposed. 22.

On the other hand, the wick 30 disposed in the load passage section 22 absorbs and holds the aerosol generation liquid Le supplied from the liquid storage section 50. Therefore, when electricity starts to be applied from the battery to the load 40, the aerosol generation liquid Le held in the wick 30 evaporates. Then, the vapor of the aerosol generation liquid Le generated in the load passage section 22 is transmitted to the air that has flowed into the load passage section 22 (the air from which dust has been removed and which has been flavored) and around the wick 30 (the "atomization section"). ) as a result of mixing, an aerosol is generated. In this way, the air containing the aerosol generated in the load passage section 22 (atomization section) flows into the downstream passage section 23 and is discharged from the discharge port 13 located at the downstream end of the downstream passage section 23. The liquid is eventually sucked into the user's oral cavity. In this embodiment, since the aerosol generation liquid Le stored in the liquid storage part 50 contains tobacco extract components, it is possible to impart flavor components derived from the tobacco extract components contained in the aerosol generation liquid Le to the aerosol. can.

According to the atomization unit 12 configured as described above, flavor components can be applied to the aerosol in two stages before the aerosol is finally supplied into the user's oral cavity. That is, in the first step, the flavor component contained in the flavor molded body forming the filter material 60 can be applied to the air passing through the

upstream passages

21a and 21b. Then, in the second stage, the load 40 disposed in the load passage section 22 (atomization section) is operated to evaporate the aerosol generation liquid Le containing the tobacco extract components, so that the flavor components derived from the tobacco extract components are can be added to an aerosol. Thereby, the aerosol generated by the atomization unit 12 can be sufficiently flavored. That is, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to impart a deep flavor to the aerosol that cannot be expressed only by the flavor components contained in the aerosol generation liquid Le or the flavor components contained in the filter material 60 alone. According to the atomization unit 12 according to the present embodiment, it has a function of removing dust contained in the air taken into the atomization unit 12 (atomization unit housing 120) from the outside, so that it is inhaled by the user. It becomes possible to reduce the amount of dust contained in aerosol.

Note that the arithmetic surface roughness Sa of the dust trapping surface 65 in the filter material 60 may be 30 μm or more and 1000 μm or less. Further, the arithmetic surface roughness Sa of the dust trapping surface 65 is preferably 30 μm or more and 500 μm or less, and more preferably 30 μm or more and 100 μm or less. By adjusting the arithmetic surface roughness Sa of the dust trapping surface 65 within this range, it becomes easier for dust to adhere to the dust trapping surface 65, and the dust contained in the air can be captured by the dust trapping surface 65 even more efficiently.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the filter material 60 (flavor molded body) is configured to include a non-tobacco base material, the weight can be easily controlled even when it is desired to add a small amount of flavor material to the flavor molded body. There is an advantage that Further, by including a non-tobacco base material in the flavor molded article, there is an advantage that the volatilization of the flavor component is stabilized during use of the product (improvement of sustained release properties). Further, when the flavor molded body forming the filter material 60 contains tobacco material as one type of flavor material, the content of the tobacco material in the flavor molded body may be 10% by weight or less. In this way, by including a small amount of tobacco material in the flavor molded body, it is possible to impart a spice-like flavor to the aerosol generated in the atomization unit 12. Furthermore, since the amount of tobacco material contained in the flavor molded body does not increase excessively, there is an advantage that the tobacco material is difficult to separate from the non-tobacco base material. Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the flavor source that imparts flavor to the air passing through the

upstream passages

21a and 21b is arranged in the form of a molded body, the filter material 60 (flavor The molded body) is easy to handle.

Next, a method for manufacturing the atomization unit 12 will be explained. FIG. 5 is a flow diagram for explaining a method for manufacturing the atomization unit 12 according to the first embodiment.

[Preparation process]
In the preparation process related to step S10, the atomization unit housing in which the liquid storage part 50 and the air passage 20 are formed, the aerosol generation liquid Le containing tobacco extract components, and the dust contained in the air flowing through the air passage 20 are removed. A filter material 60 for capturing, an electrical load 40 for atomizing the aerosol generating liquid to generate aerosol, and a wick 30 are prepared. The atomization unit housing referred to here is the atomization unit housing 120 described in FIGS. 2 and 3, etc., in which the load 40, the wick 30, the filter material 60, etc. are not yet arranged in the air passage 20, and, This refers to the housing in a state before the liquid storage section 50 is filled with the aerosol generation liquid Le. Further, the filter material 60 prepared in the preparation step is, for example, a flavor molded body containing the above-mentioned non-tobacco base material and flavor material.

The specific method for preparing the aerosol generation liquid Le containing tobacco extract components in the preparation step is not particularly limited, and any known method can be adopted. For example, a method may be mentioned in which a component obtained by extraction of tobacco material is dissolved in the aerosol generation liquid Le.

Hereinafter, as an example of the method for producing the aerosol-generating liquid Le, a method in which an extract obtained by dissolving tobacco leaves in a solvent is mixed with an aerosol base material will be specifically described.

In the above manufacturing method, first, an alkaline substance is applied to tobacco leaves (referred to as alkali treatment). As the alkaline substance used here, for example, a basic substance such as an aqueous potassium carbonate solution can be used.

Next, the alkali-treated tobacco leaves are heated at a predetermined temperature (for example, a temperature of 80° C. or higher and lower than 150° C.) (referred to as heat treatment). During this heat treatment, for example, one substance selected from the group consisting of glycerin, propylene glycol, triacetin, 1,3-butanediol, and water, or a substance selected from this group. Two or more kinds of substances are brought into contact with tobacco leaves.

By this heat treatment, released components (which include flavor components such as nicotine) released from the tobacco leaves into the gas phase are collected in a predetermined collection solvent. As the collection solvent, for example, one or more substances selected from the group consisting of glycerin, propylene glycol, triacetin, 1,3-butanediol, and water can be used. As a result, a collection solvent containing flavor components such as nicotine (hereinafter also simply referred to as "flavor components") can be obtained (that is, flavor components can be extracted from tobacco leaves).

Note that the aerosol generation liquid Le may be produced without using the above-mentioned collection solvent. In this case, for example, after applying the above heat treatment to tobacco leaves that have been treated with alkali, the components released from the tobacco leaves into the gas phase can be condensed by cooling them using a condenser or the like. The flavor components may be extracted.

Additionally, the aerosol generation liquid Le may be produced without performing the alkali treatment described above. In this case, for example, one or more types selected from the group consisting of glycerin, propylene glycol, triacetin, 1,3-butanediol, and water are added to tobacco leaves (tobacco leaves that have not been subjected to alkali treatment). Add substance. Next, the tobacco leaf to which the above substance has been added is heated, and the components released during heating are collected in a collection solvent or condensed using a condenser or the like. Flavor components can also be extracted by such a process.

Further, when producing the aerosol generation liquid Le, an aerosol in which one or more substances selected from the group consisting of glycerin, propylene glycol, triacetin, 1,3-butanediol, and water is aerosolized, or The aerosol formed by two or more substances selected from this group is passed through tobacco leaves (tobacco leaves that have not been treated with alkali), and the aerosol that has passed through the tobacco leaves is captured in a collection solvent. You may collect them. Flavor components can also be extracted by such a process.

In addition, when producing the aerosol generation liquid Le, a process (hereinafter simply referred to as "amount of carbonized components that become carbonized when heated to 250 ° C.") that may be included in the flavor components extracted by the method described above is reduced. (also referred to as "reduction processing") may be performed. By reducing "the amount of carbonized components that become carbide when heated to 250° C.", adhesion of carbonized components to the load 40 can be effectively suppressed. As a result, occurrence of burnt on the load 40 can be effectively suppressed. Furthermore, since the carbonized components that become carbonized when heated to 250°C are mainly derived from tobacco materials such as tobacco leaves, the effects of the reduction treatment are particularly low in methods that use tobacco extract as a source of nicotine. is large.

The specific method for reducing the amount of carbonized components contained in the extracted flavor components is not particularly limited, but for example, by cooling the extracted flavor components, the precipitated components can be reduced. The amount of carbonized components contained in the extracted flavor components may be reduced by filtering with filter paper or the like. Alternatively, the amount of carbonized components contained in the extracted flavor components may be reduced by centrifuging the extracted flavor components with a centrifuge. Alternatively, the amount of carbonized components contained in the extracted flavor components may be reduced by using a reverse osmosis membrane (RO filter).

Here, since tobacco extract contains components that can cause charring when heated (e.g., lipids, metal ions, sugars, or proteins), tobacco extract components are subjected to distillation treatment or vacuum distillation treatment to eliminate charring. It is preferable to remove the causative substance. Note that even when tobacco extract is not used, it is preferable to subject the tobacco extract to distillation treatment or vacuum distillation treatment if it contains a substance that causes charring.

Next, a method for manufacturing the flavor molded body constituting the filter material 60 will be described. The flavor molded article may be, for example, a molded article that contains a tobacco material containing a non-tobacco base material and a flavor material, with a small amount of the flavor material (the content in the flavor molded article is 10% by weight or less). The method for producing the flavored molded body is not particularly limited, but for example, a non-tobacco base material such as a ceramic, a synthetic polymer, or a pulp derived from a plant other than tobacco plants (it may be a melt of a non-tobacco base material) is used. , a flavor material and a binder such as a binder are mixed to obtain a mixture, and then the mixture is molded into a predetermined shape by a method such as press molding, extrusion molding, injection molding, transfer molding, compression molding, or casting molding. It may be molded into the shape of Here, when the non-tobacco base material is a polymer, flavor molding into a predetermined shape is performed by dissolving the polymer in a solvent and evaporating the solvent by heating, etc., or by polymerizing a monomer, etc. It is also possible to adopt a method of obtaining a body. Furthermore, after obtaining a composite material in any solid shape containing a non-tobacco base material, the composite material may be processed into a predetermined shape by cutting, grinding, or the like. Alternatively, after forming the above-mentioned non-tobacco base material (which may be a melt of the non-tobacco base material) into a predetermined shape, flavor molding is performed by applying or spraying a flavor material onto the surface of the non-tobacco base material. You can also manufacture bodies.

Note that when manufacturing the flavor molded object, the surface of the flavor molded object may be coated with a coating material. Thereby, it is possible to produce a flavor molded article in which the surface of the non-tobacco base material hardened into a predetermined shape is covered with the coating material.

For example, wax can be used as the coating material. Examples of this wax include Microcrystan WAX (model number: Hi-Mic-1080 or Hi-Mic-1090) manufactured by Nippon Seiro Co., Ltd., and water-dispersed ionomer (model number: Chemipearl S120) manufactured by Mitsui Chemicals. ), Hiwax (model number: 110P) manufactured by Mitsui Chemicals, etc. can be used.

Alternatively, corn protein can also be used as a coating material. A specific example of this is Zein (model number: Kobayashi Zein DP-N) manufactured by Kobayashi Perfume Co., Ltd. Alternatively, polyvinyl acetate can also be used as a coating material.

Furthermore, when producing a flavor molded article, tobacco residue may be included in the non-tobacco base material. Further, when obtaining a tobacco extract liquid in the production of an aerosol production liquid containing tobacco extract components, it is preferable to use tobacco residue obtained by extraction when obtaining the tobacco extract.

[Assembly process]
After the above preparation process is completed, in the assembly process related to step S20, the aerosol generation liquid Le is accommodated in the liquid storage part 50 of the atomization unit housing 120, and the filter material 60 (flavor molded body) and the wick 30 are placed in the air passage 20. , loads 40 are placed respectively. Here, the wick 30 and the load 40 are arranged in the load passage section 22 of the atomization unit housing 120, and the filter material 60 is arranged in each

upstream passage section

21a, 21b. At this time, the load 40 is arranged in such a manner that the aerosol generating liquid Le is introduced from the liquid storage section 50. For example, the wick 30 may be installed in the load passage section 22 so as to communicate with the inside of the liquid storage section 50, and the load 40 may be installed in the load passage section 22 in a state in which it is in contact with the wick 30. In the present embodiment, in the assembly process, the filter material 60 is placed at a location upstream of the load 40 in the air passage 20 in the air flow direction, that is, at each

upstream passage portion

21a, 21b.

According to the manufacturing method as described above, the atomization unit 12 of the suction tool 10 can be suitably manufactured.

In addition, in this embodiment, the amount (mg) of carbonized components contained in 1 g of the aerosol generation liquid Le stored in the liquid storage part 50 is preferably 6 mg or less, and preferably 3 mg or less. It is more preferable.

According to this configuration, the amount of carbonized components adhering to the electrical load 40 can be suppressed as much as possible while enjoying the flavor of nicotine and the like. Thereby, it is possible to enjoy the flavor of nicotine and the like while suppressing the occurrence of burnt on the load 40 as much as possible.

Note that the "carbonized component" contained in 1 g of aerosol-generating liquid specifically refers to "component that becomes carbide when heated to 250°C." Specifically, the "carbonized component" refers to a component that does not become a carbide at a temperature below 250°C, but becomes a carbide when maintained at a temperature of 250°C for a predetermined period of time.

This "amount (mg) of carbonized components contained in 1 g of aerosol generating liquid" can be measured, for example, by the following method. First, a predetermined amount (g) of aerosol generation liquid Le is prepared. Next, this aerosol generation liquid Le is heated to 180° C. to volatilize the solvent (liquid component) contained in the aerosol generation liquid Le, thereby obtaining a “residue consisting of non-volatile components”. Next, the residue is carbonized by heating it to 250° C. to obtain a carbide. Next, the amount (mg) of this carbide is measured. By the above method, it is possible to measure the amount (mg) of carbide contained in a predetermined amount (g) of aerosol generation liquid Le, and based on this measurement value, the amount (mg) of carbide contained in 1 g of aerosol generation liquid ( That is, the amount (mg) of carbonized components can be calculated.

Next, the relationship between the amount of carbonized components contained in 1 g of aerosol generating liquid containing nicotine and the TPM reduction rate will be explained. Figure 6 shows the TPM reduction rate measured with respect to the amount of carbonized components contained in 1 g of extract when tobacco extract (hereinafter also simply referred to as "extract") was used as an aerosol generating liquid containing nicotine. It is a figure showing a result. The horizontal axis of FIG. 6 indicates the amount of carbonized components contained in 1 g of the extract, and the vertical axis indicates the TPM reduction rate ( _RTPM ) (%).

The TPM reduction rate (R _TPM :%) in FIG. 6 was measured by the following method. First, samples of a plurality of atomization units having different amounts of carbonized components contained in 1 g of extract liquid were prepared. Specifically, five samples (sample SA1 to sample SA5) were prepared as samples for the plurality of atomization units. These five samples were prepared by the following steps.

(Step 1)
To a tobacco material made of tobacco leaves, 20 (wt%) of potassium carbonate was added in terms of dry weight, and then heated and distilled. The distillation residue after this heating distillation treatment is immersed for 10 minutes in water that is 15 times the weight of the tobacco raw material before the heating distillation treatment, dehydrated in a dehydrator, and then dried in a drier to produce tobacco. A residue was obtained.

(Step 2)
Next, a portion of the tobacco residue obtained in Step 1 was washed with water to prepare tobacco residue containing a small amount of char.

(Step 3)
Next, 25 g of dipping liquid (propylene glycol 47.5 wt%, glycerin 47.5 wt%, water 5 wt%) as an extraction liquid was added to 5 g of the tobacco residue obtained in step 2, and the temperature of the dipping liquid was raised to 60%. It was left to stand at ℃. By varying the standing time (that is, the immersion time in the immersion liquid), the amount of carbonized components eluted into the immersion liquid (extract liquid) was varied.

Through the above steps, a plurality of samples with different amounts of carbonized components contained in 1 g of immersion liquid (extract liquid) were prepared.

Next, the multiple samples prepared in the above steps were subjected to automatic smoking using an automatic smoking machine (“Analytical Vaping Machine” manufactured by Borgwaldt) under “CRM (Coresta Recommended Method) 81 smoking conditions”. Ta. Incidentally, the smoking condition of CRM81 is that 55 cc of aerosol is inhaled over 3 seconds multiple times every 30 seconds.

The amount of total particulate matter captured by the Cambridge filter of the automatic smoking machine was then measured. Based on the measured amount of total particulate matter, the TPM reduction rate ( _RTPM ) was calculated using the following formula (1). The TPM reduction rate (R _TPM ) shown in FIG. 6 was measured by the above method.

R _TPM (%) = (1-TPM (201puff ~ 250puff) / TPM (1puff ~ 50puff)) x 100... (1)

Here, TPM (Total Particle Molecule) indicates the total particulate matter collected by the Cambridge filter of the automatic smoking machine. "TPM (1puff to 50puff)" in equation (1) indicates the amount of total particulate matter collected by the Cambridge filter from the 1st puff to the 50th puff of the automatic smoking machine. "TPM (201puff to 250puff)" in equation (1) indicates the amount of total particulate matter collected by the Cambridge filter from the 201st puff to the 250th puff of the automatic smoking machine.

In other words, the TPM reduction rate ( _RTPM ) in equation (1) is calculated as follows: "The amount of total particulate matter collected by the Cambridge filter from the 201st puff to the 250th puff of the automatic smoking machine It is calculated by subtracting the value divided by the total amount of particulate matter collected by the Cambridge filter from the 1st puff to the 50th puff from 1 and multiplying it by 100.

As can be seen from FIG. 6, there is a proportional relationship between the amount of carbonized components contained in 1 g of extract and the TPM reduction rate. As can be seen from samples SA1 to SA4 in FIG. 6, when the amount of carbonized components contained in 1 g of extract is 6 mg or less, the TPM reduction rate can be suppressed to 20% or less.

Next, a modification of the atomization unit 12 according to the first embodiment will be described. In addition, in the following modified examples and other embodiments, the same code|symbol may be attached|subjected about the same code|symbol as the embodiment mentioned above about the structure which corresponds, and description may be abbreviate|omitted suitably.

<Modification 1>
FIG. 7 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the atomization unit 12 according to Modification 1 of Embodiment 1. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the atomization unit 12 according to Modification 1 of Embodiment 1, and shows a cross section taken along line A2-A2 in FIG. The atomization unit 12 according to the first modification differs from the first embodiment only in the aspect of the filter material 60 disposed in each

upstream passage section

21a, 21b. Also in this modification, the filter material 60 is formed of a flavor molded body.

A plurality of rod-shaped filter materials 60 are arranged in parallel along the cross-sectional direction of each

upstream passage section

21a, 21b. In the example shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, each filter material 60 has a solid cylindrical shape, and along the extending direction (Z direction) of each

upstream passage section

21a, 21b (that is, air along the flow direction), the axial direction of each filter material extends. In this modification, each filter material 60 is arranged in parallel in the cross-sectional direction (X direction, Y direction) of each

upstream passage portion

21a, 21b. In the example shown in FIG. 8, nine filter materials 60 are arranged in each

upstream passage section

21a, 21b in a pattern of 3 rows and 3 columns. The number of 60 and the arrangement pattern thereof are not particularly limited.

As shown in FIG. 8, an air flow passage 61A for circulating air is formed between the filter materials 60 arranged in parallel in each of the

upstream passage portions

21a and 21b. A dust trapping surface 65 is formed by the outer surface of the filter material 60 .

Further, reference numeral 25A shown in FIG. 7 is a breathable support material that supports the upstream end 601 of the filter material 60. Reference numeral 25B is a breathable support supporting the downstream end 602 of the filter material. The upstream end and downstream end herein mean an upstream end and a downstream end with respect to the flow direction of air. The

support members

25A and 25B cooperate to support the upstream end 601 and the downstream end 602 of each filter material 60 while sandwiching them in the axial direction. Thereby, even when a plurality of filter materials 60 are arranged in each of the

upstream passage portions

21a and 21b, the plurality of filter materials 60 can be maintained in a regular position in an aligned state. Moreover, since the supporting

materials

25A and 25B have air permeability, it is possible to suppress the flow of air along the respective

upstream passage portions

21a and 21b from being obstructed. In addition, also in the flavor molded object 60 demonstrated in FIG.7 and FIG.8, 61 A of air flow paths as demonstrated in FIG. 4 may extend along an axial direction.

As described above, also in this modification, since the air flow passage 61A is formed between each of the filter materials 60 arranged in parallel in each of the

upstream passage parts

21a and 21b, the air passes through the air flow passage 61A. Flavor can be imparted to the air by the flavor material of the filter material 60. Further, since the dust trapping surface 65 is formed by the outer surface of the filter material 60 facing the air flow path 61A, dust contained in the air can be efficiently removed by the dust trapping surface 65, and as a result, the user can It becomes possible to reduce the amount of dust contained in the aerosol that is sucked.

<Modification 2>
FIG. 9 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the atomization unit 12 according to the second modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the atomization unit 12 according to the second modification of the first embodiment, and shows a cross section taken along the line A3-A3 in FIG. The atomization unit 12 according to the second modification differs from the first modification only in the aspect of the filter material 60 disposed in each

upstream passage section

A plurality of filter materials 60 each having a plate shape are arranged in each of the

upstream passage portions

21a and 21b. Each filter material 60 extends along the extending direction of each

upstream passage section

21a, 21b (air flow direction, ie, Z direction).

In the example shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, each filter material 60 extends along the extending direction of each

upstream passage section

21a, 21b (air flow direction, ie, Z direction). In the example shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, each filter material 60 has a flat plate shape that is elongated in the extending direction of each

upstream passage section

21a, 21b, and the cross section of each

upstream passage section

21a, 21b (air (ie, the XY plane direction). More specifically, the upstream end 601 and downstream end 602 of each filter material 60 are positioned and fixed in a state where they are sandwiched in the axial direction by the above-mentioned supporting

materials

25A and 25B. As a result, each of the plurality of filter materials 60 is arranged side by side so as to face each other at intervals. An air flow path 61B for circulating air is formed by the gap formed between the filter materials 60 arranged to face each other, and the outer surface of the filter material 60 facing the air flow path 61B allows dust to be removed. A capture surface 65 is formed.

As described above, in this modification, the air flow passage 61B is formed between each of the filter materials 60 that are arranged to face each other in each of the

upstream passage portions

21a and 21b. Therefore, the flavor material of the filter material 60 can impart flavor to the air passing through the air flow path 61B. Further, dust contained in the air can be efficiently removed by the dust capturing surface 65, and as a result, it is possible to reduce the amount of dust contained in the aerosol sucked by the user.

<Modification 3>
FIG. 11 is a longitudinal sectional view of the atomization unit 12 according to the third modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the atomization unit 12 according to the third modification of the first embodiment, and shows a cross section taken along the line A4-A4 in FIG. 11. The atomization unit 12 according to Modification 3 differs from Modifications 1 and 2 only in the aspect of the filter material 60 disposed in each

upstream passage section

A filter material 60 having an overall bellows sheet shape is arranged in each of the

upstream passage portions

21a and 21b. As shown in FIG. 12, the filter material 60 having a bellows sheet shape includes a plurality of sheet parts ( The ridgeline portion 63 connects the sheet portions 62 to each other in a bellows-like manner and extends along the air flow direction. In the filter material 60 in the form of a bellows sheet as described above, an air flow path 61C through which air circulates is formed between the sheet parts 62 that are connected via the ridgeline part 63. The air flow passage 61C extends along the direction in which the

upstream passage portions

21a and 21b extend (the air flow direction, that is, the Z direction). Further, in the filter material 60 in this modification, a dust trapping surface 65 is formed by the outer surface of the sheet portion 62 facing the air flow path 61C. Therefore, according to the atomization unit 12 according to this modification, the flavor material of the filter material 60 can impart flavor to the air passing through the air flow path 61C of the filter material 60 having a bellows sheet shape. Further, since the dust contained in the air can be efficiently removed by the dust capturing surface 65, it is possible to reduce the amount of dust contained in the aerosol sucked by the user.

Note that, as shown in FIG. 11, also in this modification, the upstream end 601 and downstream end 602 of the filter material 60 are positioned and fixed by the

breathable support members

25A and 25B. Thereby, the sheet-shaped flavor molded body 60 can be positioned and held at a regular position without obstructing the flow of air along each of the

upstream passages

21a, 21b.

<Modification 4>
FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the atomization unit 12 according to the fourth modification of the first embodiment. In the fourth modification, a large number of filter materials 60 in the form of strip-shaped sheet pieces are filled in each

upstream passage section

21a, 21b. For example, each filter material 60 (rectangular sheet piece) is arranged so that its longitudinal direction extends along each

upstream passage portion

21a, 21b (that is, along the air flow direction), The upstream end and downstream end thereof may be positioned by supporting

members

25A and 25B as described in FIG. 11. In this modification, an air flow passage 61D is formed by the gap between each filter material 60 (rectangular sheet piece), and the side surface (outer surface) of each filter material 60 defining the air flow passage 61D prevents dust from being removed. A capture surface 65 is formed. Therefore, when the air that has flowed into each of the

upstream passages

21a and 21b passes through the air flow passage 61D, the flavor components of the flavor material contained in the filter material 60 can be suitably imparted to the air. Further, since the dust contained in the air can be efficiently removed by the dust capturing surface 65, it is possible to reduce the amount of dust contained in the aerosol sucked by the user. Note that the strip sheet pieces serving as the filter material 60 may be arranged randomly and filled without being aligned along the air passage 20 (each

upstream passage portion

21a, 21b).

<Modification 5>
FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the atomization unit 12 according to the fifth modification of the first embodiment. The filter material 60 of the atomization unit 12 according to the fifth modification has an air flow passage 61 as a through hole penetrating in the axial direction, and an air flow groove 610 as an air flow passage formed on the side surface (outer surface). It differs from the filter material 60 described in FIGS. 2 to 4 in that it is In the embodiment shown in FIG. 14, the air circulation groove 610 in the filter material 60 is a groove provided on the side surface (outer surface) of the filter material 60 along the axial direction. The air circulation groove 610 is formed from the upstream end (front end) 601 to the downstream end (rear end) 602 of the filter material 60, and the surface of the air circulation groove 610 forms a dust trapping surface 65. In this modification, air can be smoothly circulated through the air flow path 61 and the air flow groove 610, and the flavor components of the flavor material contained in the filter material 60 can be suitably imparted to the air. . Further, since the dust contained in the air can be efficiently removed by the dust capturing surface 65, it is possible to reduce the amount of dust contained in the aerosol sucked by the user. Note that in this modification, the number of air circulation grooves 610 provided on the side surface (outer surface) of the filter material 60 is not particularly limited. However, as shown in FIG. 14, by forming a plurality of air circulation grooves 610 on the side surface (outer surface) of the filter material 60, it is possible to more efficiently distribute air and impart flavor to the air. I can do it. In addition, in the filter material 60 according to this modification, the air flow passage 61 passing through the inside thereof in the axial direction may be omitted, and only the air flow groove 610 may be formed.

Although the embodiments and modified examples of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to such specific embodiments and modified examples, and within the scope of the gist of the present invention as described in the claims. , various modifications and changes are possible.

For example, in the embodiments and modifications described above, a flavor molded body containing a non-tobacco base material and a flavor material is used as an example of the filter material 60 disposed in the

upstream passages

21a and 21b of the atomization unit 12. Although explained, it is not limited to this. That is, the filter material 60 can adopt various forms as long as it can capture (collect) dust contained in the air flowing through the

upstream passages

21a and 21b. For example, the filter material 60 may be configured as a molded body that does not contain flavoring material. In this case, an example is an embodiment in which the filter material 60 is formed of a non-tobacco base material such as ceramic, synthetic polymer, pulp, or the like.

Furthermore, each aspect disclosed in this embodiment can be freely combined with other aspects disclosed in this embodiment.

10... Suction tool 11... Power supply unit 12... Atomization unit 20...

Air passages

21a, 21b... Upstream passage section 22... Load passage section 23... Downstream passage section 30 ...Wick 40...Load 50...Liquid storage section 60...Filter material Le...Aerosol generation liquid

Claims

a liquid storage section that accommodates an aerosol generation liquid containing tobacco extract components;
an electrical load disposed in an air passage through which air passes, into which the aerosol-generating liquid in the liquid storage section is introduced, and which atomizes the introduced aerosol-generating liquid to generate an aerosol;
A filter material that is disposed in an upstream passage section of the air passageway that is located upstream of the load in the air flow direction, and that captures dust contained in the air flowing through the upstream passage section;
Equipped with
Atomization unit of suction tool.
The filter material is formed as a molded body having a dust trapping surface exposed to the upstream passage.
The atomization unit of the suction tool according to claim 1.
The filter material is a flavor molded body containing a non-tobacco base material and a flavor material.
The atomization unit of the suction tool according to claim 2.
The filter material has a rod shape extending along the upstream passage section, and has a hollow air flow passage therein that extends through the filter material in the axial direction and allows air to flow therethrough. has
an inner surface of the air flow passage is formed as the dust trapping surface;
The atomization unit of the suction tool according to claim 2 or 3.
The filter material has a rod shape extending along the upstream passage portion, and has an air circulation groove on a side surface thereof that extends in the axial direction of the filter material and allows air to circulate;
a surface of the air circulation groove is formed as the dust trapping surface;
The atomization unit of the suction tool according to any one of claims 2 to 4.
The filter material has a rod shape extending along the upstream passage section,
A plurality of the filter materials are arranged in parallel along a cross-sectional direction perpendicular to the flow direction of air in the upstream passage,
An air flow path is formed for circulating air between the outer surfaces of the filter materials arranged in parallel,
the dust trapping surface is formed by an outer surface of the filter material facing the air flow path;
The atomization unit of the suction tool according to any one of claims 2 to 5.
The filter material has a bellows sheet shape as a whole, and connects each sheet portion to a plurality of sheet portions extending along the air flow direction in the upstream passage portion in a bellows shape. and a ridgeline extending along the flow direction of the air,
An air flow passage for circulating air is formed between the sheet parts connected via the ridgeline part, and the dust trapping surface is formed by an outer surface of the sheet part facing the air flow passage.
The atomization unit of the suction tool according to claim 2 or 3.
The filter material has a plate shape extending along the flow direction of air in the upstream passage,
A plurality of the filter materials are arranged side by side so as to face each other at intervals along a cross section perpendicular to the air flow direction in the upstream passage section,
An air flow path for circulating air is formed between the filter materials arranged oppositely,
the dust trapping surface is formed by an outer surface of the filter material facing the air flow path;
The atomization unit of the suction tool according to claim 2 or 3.
The atomization unit according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
a power supply unit having a power supply that supplies power to the load, and to which the atomization unit is detachable;
A suction device equipped with.
A method for manufacturing an atomization unit of a suction tool, the method comprising:
an atomization unit housing in which a liquid storage part and an air passage are formed; an aerosol generation liquid containing tobacco extract components; an electrical load for atomizing the aerosol generation liquid to generate an aerosol; a preparation step for preparing a filter material for capturing dust contained in the flowing air;
an assembling step of accommodating the aerosol generating liquid in the liquid accommodating section and arranging the load and the filter material in the air passage;
has
In the assembly process,
The load is arranged in such a manner that the aerosol generating liquid is introduced from the liquid storage part, and
disposing the filter material in an upstream passageway located upstream of the load in the air flow direction;
A method for manufacturing an atomizing unit of a suction tool.